For Colonialism class, we trekked off to the National Maritime Museum to see some original Hodges' paintings that we had been studying in class. We originally went to this covert-looking warehouse which, lo and behold, held a treasure of paintings that were not on exhibit in any museum. After 2 hours in this odd building, we flocked off to the Museum (after a LONG 30 minute walk). Lunch at a pub, a portrait gallery, and the Royal Observatory of Greenwich (with the prime meridian) were in store for us and we enjoyed our field trip immensely!!
While on our lengthy walk to the Museum after 2 hours of standing in a warehouse-type building, even the simplest of signs makes you wonder if you're seeing things...
Continuing on the walk, we saw the Millenium Dome which is now closed but which provided a strange view across the Thames. And then, of course, there was the endless arrangements of cobblestones which always manage to hurt your feet immensely!
We passed by the Cutty Sark tavern which I thought was interesting (I don't think they make it there, but there was some random connection...) and then we passed this bench which looked all lonely. I felt bad for it, so I went and sat on it briefly, said hello and kept going - a typical Alishya thing to do.
National Maritime Museum and the road leading up to it (the beginning of fall has begun)
A row of houses we walked by which were very artistic
Jen, Kristine, Missy and Katie - aren't they cute??
The Pub
Melissa, Katie & Mercedee lounging...
Mary and Frank, trying to look cool...
Kristine and John, our fabulous teacher!
Jen and I after some fish and chips (mmmmm)
Greenwich Royal Observatory
The park in front of the Royal Observatory - absolutely beautiful...
The Observatory, with the Prime Meridian right down the middle... I called my mom and Craig&Jamil when I was up there and I was so excited because I hadn't expected it.
While walking up this torturous hill, the first thing I came across was the official clock of Greenwich which was crowded by tourists getting their pictures taken with it (tourists are weird people). Of course, after visiting the museum that had a collection of clocks from around the world, I realized the the time for Chicago was an hour off. As I made a remark to a guard who was lounging around that the time had not accounted for daylight savings, he snickered and insisted (with great English rudeness) that the clock WAS right and I simply didn't know what I was talking about. Needless to say, he soon realized his mistake and apologized... sheesh.
After standing on the actual prime meridian, I noticed that there was a list of cities inscribed on the marble next to it...
Lo and behold, there was Chicago!! I was so excited! :)
After visiting the prime meridian and array of telescopes, I decided to cruise through the park while talking on my mobile - a typical touristy thing to do. As I looked back, I wondered how utterly nifty it would be to have this as my backyard... I'd have to get one of those golf cart thingys :)
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